How important is the number of GCSEs?

[byebyemrpumpkinpie]

DD (end of year 10) and I want her to drop one of her GCSEs (Economics).

She missed school for a year due to a health condition, including the majority of year 9 and the start of year 10. Before this, she was doing v well academically (expected to get all 7-9s, and I think based on her ability towards the 9 end). Now she's missed a lot of school she's not finding things so easy.

We'd rather she dropped Economics, and did 8 GCSEs rather than 9 (and use the extra lessons to brush up other subjects). The school are resisting. Saying better to do all 9. Is this true? Are there implications of doing 8 rather than 9?

TIA

Personally, I'd think it was better to do 8 GCSEs really well, than 9+ GCSEs mediocrely.

8 is fine.
For the school dropping can be a pain as they have to supervise the DC somewhere.
However 8 doesn't give wiggle room to mess one up entirely if looking for a highly selective 6th form that looks at 'best 8', so look at 6th form requirements before a decision. Some 6th forms only require 5 GCSEs inc Maths& English with then subject specific grades, other seem to require much much more.

Don't think 8 instead on 9 makes much difference TBH - the next step here - colleges sixth form -ask for 5 above C and then specific grades on top - you could check with post 16 edcuation places in your area.

However timetables wise I expect it's a nightmare for the school - they'd be no-one to supervise her in those lesson slots.

I'm in wales - they sit about 12-13 here - and in Y11 a few of the students were allowed to drop one or two subjects but the school had programs in place for them to go to - during those lesson times - one was a retake class and other was some non examined program - they weren't just left to their own devices.

No probs with eight GCSEs, that’s all my ds took. BUT in the extra slot he had timetabled time in the SEN hub working on core subjects, his CV etc.

What would your dd do in this time? She can’t just sit in the library. Is there a hub she can go to - and staff to supervise? As others say, that’s a key issue.

We have just dropped a GCSE for somewhat similar reasons and feel that it will be the right decision in the longer term. Plus the immediate benefit of fewer lessons, less homework and fewer exams.

I have seen a lot of application forms in my time and they often only have six or eight lines for your entire school education. I think the UCAS form also caps the number of GCSEs that you can put down.

I am certainly not going to worry about other people’s perception of how many GCSEs my DC is taking.

As others have said, 8 is fine but school will find it difficult to ensure supervision in the timetable slots. Depending on school, if she’s expected to get a 4 or above, they may think she’s doing fine. Could you get a tutor for subjects she is finding tougher?

Most courses only ask for 5 including English, maths and science but I think it’s important to get a couple of enjoyable ones in too such as art or a subject they really like.

Thank you all. This is so helpful.
She would just go to the quiet space and work independently. Psychologically, I think better if she can get her good subjects back to where they were, rather than doing ok across the board. I think maybe school thinks a pass is OK - and I'm not knocking that, but I think her confidence has taken a hit

She wants to go to a fairly bog standard 6th form, so imagine that will be ok

Good luck to her and I hope she ends up on her desired pathway.